Oil-Blue Two-Piece Salwar Kameez Fabric from Kashmir with Aari Hand-Embroidered Flowers on Neck
Dry clean recommended. Store with natural cedar or neem leaves. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
Complete your look
Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Behind this piece
Aari embroidery is one of Kashmir's most enduring needle arts, worked with a hooked awl called the aari that pulls thread through fabric in a continuous chain-like motion. Practised for centuries in the valley, the craft reached its refinement under Mughal patronage, when artisans began adorning fine wool and pashmina with intricate floral motifs drawn from the gardens of Srinagar and Pahalgam. The flowers at this kameez's neck are not printed or machine-stitched; they are placed stitch by deliberate stitch, each petal a small declaration of a living tradition.
How to style
Wear this fabric stitched into a relaxed, straight-cut kameez with wide-leg salwar in the same oil-blue wool for a coordinated winter set. On a cool festive evening, layer it beneath a short Kashmiri wool waistcoat in ivory or warm camel. Accessorise with silver filigree earrings from Cuttack or simple pearl drops to let the embroidery remain the focal point. A pair of tan leather kolhapuris or low-heeled block boots completes the look with quiet ease. This fabric dresses equally well for a cultural gathering or a considered Sunday lunch.
Fabric & care
Pure wool requires patience, not effort. Dry-clean this fabric whenever possible to preserve the aari threadwork and the fibre's natural lanolin. If hand-washing, use cold water with a gentle wool-specific detergent, and never wring or twist the fabric. Press flat on a towel to remove excess water, then dry in shade away from direct sunlight. Steam-iron on low heat using a pressing cloth over the embroidered neck. Store folded, not hung, wrapped in a cotton muslin cloth. A cedar block nearby discourages moths without the chemical residue of synthetic repellents.
More from salwar kameez
Sale
Sale
Sale
SaleReviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share your thoughts.